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Tony Ferguson unwilling to be backup for UFC 242, wants ‘full camp and lead up time’

It’s been common practice in the UFC to have a back-up fighter around, in case one of their headliners suddenly pulls out. It is likely the case for the upcoming UFC 242 main event clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier this Saturday, September 7th, in Abu Dhabi.

One of those possible replacement fighters was Tony Ferguson, a contender many believes is deserving of the next title shot. “El Cucuy,” however, isn’t willing to be one.

“I would love to go, (but) first of all I’m not back-up for anybody,” Ferguson said on Monday’s episode of The MMA Show on ESPN (transcript via BJPenn.